Meet The SHEROES - Anjie Gogna: Professional Makeup Artist

A brush with beauty turns into a steamy affair of the heart.

Anjie was intrigued by her mother’s eye for fashion and beauty right since she was young. Her mother knew the fundamentals of makeup application and even had various books on the topic. As a child, Anjie watched her do her own makeup and how she used to apply Anjie’s, when she put little Anjie into “kiddie” pageants or Halloween contests. Little did Anjie know then, that her little brush with make-up would turn into a fully blown passionate affair with make-up and would later become her profession! Let’s see how!

Tell us your story, Anjie – Where are you from, where did you grow up, how did you get into this field? 
I was born and raised in Manila, Philippines and just recently moved to Delhi a month ago after getting married. I’ve been a certified, freelance celebrity makeup artist for 6 years now.

I studied in Manila where I graduated with a Masters in Integrated Marketing Communication. However, during that in-between period before graduation in 2010, I decided to take up a course on makeup artistry. It was a passion that has been brewing inside me since I was young. By the time I graduated with my degree, I was also a Certified Professional Makeup Artist. Initially, I was not thinking of it as a long-term career.

Is it easy entering this profession? What sort of entry obstacles are there?
I would say it’s easy to enter the profession but the challenge lies in really penetrating the industry. The skill itself can be learnt and one can even be self-taught, but making a brand for yourself – that is the real challenge. One also needs to be equipped with the best makeup, tools, and techniques, which can be expensive investments.

What about competition? How is it here?
The field of makeup artistry is getting very saturated and competition is cut-throat. One has to be creative and stand out from the rest. In the end, a potential client’s own taste and budgets come into play when making a choice. My personal style is to enhance my clients’ natural beauty with my make-up as opposed to making them look like someone else with a rather fake look.

“Increasingly, people are gravitating towards this more natural style of make-up and that has become one of my unique differentiating factors.”

Who are your clients? Where do they come from?
When I was starting in Manila, my close network made up my first clients.  From there, word of mouth spread helping me land projects for local brands, publications, and production houses. I pushed this further by promoting my work through social media. Before I knew it, my network was expanding to people I had never come across inquiring about my services for memorable life occasions such as weddings, prom, and other events, especially through my Facebook page 

Mostly I concentrate on Bridal makeup, print and video shoots for marketing, and giving makeup workshops to corporates and individuals.

Do you travel often for work?
I have done destination weddings within the Philippines, Singapore, Bali, and Dubai.

Anybody famous you have worked on? Who?
I’ve worked with Philippine celebrities such as Joey Mead King (mentor and judge of Asia’s Next Top Model), TV actresses and hosts Jasmine Curtis, Diana Menezes and Sam YG. Looking forward to the possibilities here in India.

How is this profession treated?
Bringing in a specialist in hair and make up styling adds immense value to the final image which is making the profession gain a lot of respect in India, as it is in the West already.

I have been doing specialized makeup and hair styling for the advertising industry for companies like P&G, Colgate and other FMCG companies in Manila. I see the same happening with the FMCG and the online retail market in India.

Is make up skin deep? What would you say to this?
In today’s world where women are an increasing part of the corporate world and leadership, there is equal importance given to their intellect and personal presentation. I am so glad that women these days are not afraid to look good in the fear of people judging them or not taking them seriously. Instead they are making a statement that with the brains and a good sense of style they can be women of power.

What according to you is beauty?
For me beauty is having confidence in the way you walk, talk and look.

Who is your inspiration in your profession?
Some of my inspirations include makeup legend Bobbi Brown, the Kardashian sisters, and Lauren Conrad. The common thread among them being that they transcended from being makeup artists or beauty junkies to being businesswomen, creating brands that have become cult favourites. Apart from just makeup too, all these women let beauty and style spill over to every aspect of their lifestyle.                                                                                             

Describe Anjie Gogna in one line...
Happy, animated and a dreamer.

“I am happy to see women take the center stage in India. The change is coming fast and I am happy SHEROES.in is doing their bit in encouraging and empowering women.”